A fraudster’s victim who fought back has won a landmark battle to name and shame the man who scammed him and dozens of others. The Sunday Star Times (p. A5) in its report today describes the anti-fraud campaigner Steve Taylor as an “Online hero” (caption below his colour photo).

Lawyer Madeleine Flannagan, who advised [Steve] Taylor and has been the victim of online harassment herself, said the judge’s decision showed free speech was alive and well.

She said the unique nature of the case, setting a new precedent in harassment laws, meant it was already being used by media law professors at Auckland University.

Taylor’s website [http://www.grantnormanking.com/] also resulted in King being punished. Since setting up the website, Taylor said more than 70 victims had come forward, across a 32-year span, claiming losses of more than $3 million.

As a result, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Ministry of Social Development began their own investigations, which ultimately led to eight convictions against King for fraud. According to Taylor’s timeline, the pattern of dishonesty started when King was convicted of receiving stolen vehicles in 1982.